Debut or Die-Chapter 348

TeSTAR’s new song made a huge splash right from its first stage.

Let’s ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) start with the U.S. broadcast.

I typed our show, You Got a Chance, into the search bar.

And I nodded when I saw it autocomplete to things like “who are those guys in jumpers.”

“Classically predictable.”

We made our single major appearance on that top-tier show—and we left a real impression.

That’s why your first big exposure matters. We didn’t cram every stunt in for nothing.

“Comments asking why we’re not a band are trending. I guess our acting like musicians was so good everyone’s surprised~”

“Still, using the movie’s sound effects and instruments in the bridge to create a genre link feels like a perfect tie-in.”

“Oh—true. Hardly anyone feels a disconnect musically.”

“Someone’s asking who Cheong-woo hyung is. Can I write the answer?”

“Hold on, Yujin.”

I was pleased that the movie imagery connection sparked both buzz and mixed opinions. Valuable impression volume.

Naturally, those clicks drove more views to the MV and a noticeable rise in global streaming users.

“In Korea, exposure like this is almost impossible now.”

We followed the exact reaction pattern that comes when a stage gives you recognition. Seems it’s the same domestically and overseas.

“What kind of training did they get to pull that off? Isn’t K-pop about training?”

└ They came from audition programs—they’re beneficiaries, not victims, of K-pop’s factory system!

...Meanwhile, some sly people mix truth and nonsense to promote cultish posts, but I’ll let that slide for now.

Anyway, with favorable comments a majority, it seems we’re riding high at home too.

“They’re insanely good.”

“This is live with zero post-production? Fans must be full even without eating—so fucking cool.”

“How on earth do they do that cannon-to-dumbling choreo;;; I’d have snapped my neck already.”

People who would’ve thought “fans are shilling” clicked anyway—and the stage more than met their expectations.

No wonder the members who were practically collapsing afterward shifted their attitudes.

“We’ve grown, huh? Wow, even our fingers hit perfectly.”

“Yeah, e-everyone’s energy was great... it suited the song. Amazing performance.”

“Right! It was so cool.”

With Yu-jin finally using past tense correctly, the clean process of acknowledging the truth was complete.

“They’ll keep going unedited, huh.”

I nodded approvingly.

Then the Tnet comeback show and domestic music show stages rolled out, capturing domestic opinion once more.

“Sub-song reactions are good too.”

We’d developed a modern-noir thriller concept using “Black Cat” and it was too good to scrap.

So we used it as the B-side.

Unlike the aggressive title track, its elegant flavor let fans who were lukewarm on the main concept choose per their taste.

Though even the originally satisfied fans loved it.

“I love both—TeSTAR’s insane value for doing everything from Gentlemen to Agents in one era.”

“Thanks, guys, this is a feast (nom nom).”

Every time I monitored, the guys’ faces just glowed.

“This stage’s reactions are all great.”

“Wow, it wipes away fatigue instantly.”

It was the best realistic response we could hope for.

True to their survival-show roots, after a tumultuous few years TeSTAR finally found a warm, steady environment.

Even on the society pages, top comments were all praise.

“This is national pride. Korea’s unique Haetae style~ Spreading justice with Haetae, such a cool TeSTAR~”

In an industry made for attention-seeking, it was almost like a drug.

Isn’t this what everyone dreaming of idols hopes for?

On top of that, our independent label finally got press.

[TeSTAR’s Label ‘ORBIT’ Launches... “We’ll Leverage Artist Development Expertise”]

Ryu Cheong-woo read it and smiled.

“Orbit, right?”

“Yes.”

I named it. Unintentionally.

‘They’d have picked some grandiose name.’

The company had initially proposed “Supernova.”

‘Why stir controversy with the label name?’

Since it’s an in-house label, I settled it myself.

“It feels like a planetary orbit. I still think it was a good name.”

“...Thank you.”

Fans loved it.

And so did investors.

“From Hollywood films to these guys’ progress—it’s impressive. I’m keeping my shares until year-end.”

All weekend, good overseas reaction translations rolled in, and fans enjoyed the abundance of content.

The public, meanwhile, started dreaming of the Billboard chart reveal next Thursday.

“Whoa, already hyped before one U.S. show...”

“But this might be another career-high—just don’t get complacent.”

“Why are so many TeSTAR translation accounts popping up?”

Even as they felt the pressure, fans couldn’t help but get excited—pouring a flood of posts with happiness, anticipation, worries, and confusion.

Of course, some speculated about our next moves.

“They’ll hit music shows then go to the U.S., right?”

“Yeah, article says they’re heading to America—lots of love calls there.”

“They stir up hype everywhere, sucking onto Rimestone—they must be freaking out over U.S. reactions.”

└ Huh? Your group flopped while bundled with LimeStone, and you want to riot over TeSTAR’s success?

└ hahahahahaha

Even trolls couldn’t derail the hype.

Bae Se-jin spoke in a trembling voice.

“...It’s the first time people have been this supportive.”

“Seriously.”

A national fondness—feels like we could become the People’s Idols overnight.

The MV release had the same vibe, and even a week later it hadn’t faded.

Anyone in this position would say, “We’re walking on petals.”

“Yeah. It’s amazing.”

“Yes, yes...”

But on their faces was no serene, happy-ending smile.

Instead, sweat beaded on their brows.

In plain terms, “Oh shit, what do we do now?”

The look of bracing for the inevitable fall.

The cause... the time was nearing.

“...Pretty soon, we’re gonna smash this with our own hands, right?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded.

“...Enjoy it while it lasts.”

“Mm...”

With their noses buried in phones, they began savoring public approval.

But in a few days, the bitter flavor would rise.

Long before the Billboard chart dropped, an article appeared on Monday.

[TeSTAR Appears on U.S. Hit Variety Show... Continuing Their Dominant Run?]

Everyone clicked, thinking, “Oh, another U.S. show.”

But reading closely, they saw the show’s real identity.

[Don’t mess it up]

Unknown in Korea, but once insiders spoke, the tone shifted.

– This is so B-grade—strange challenges, not my thing...

It’s the kind of show that gives contestants weird tasks to fail or captures their reactions. B-movie level.

– Isn’t this for rising stars? Why would TeSTAR do this?

– Perfect way to trash that classy image they built with the film and first stage...

Ah...

But TeSTAR’s part is just one corner of the show.

And usually ten teams share that corner for a total of seventeen minutes on air.

‘Prime mistake if we pull the handshake on handshake.’

And it gets worse.

At the same time, a far more prestigious talk show airs.

Global-name groups like VTIC perform there.

We turned down that possibility to do this B-grade show.

At this point, you can guess the reaction.

– Are they nuts?

– Why the hell are they here? I don’t get it.

– hahahahaha this is maddening

Worse, we’re the first K-pop idols they’ve ever had.

The show’s previous staff member was fired for xenophobic remarks—it’s hyper-local.

They’ll treat us like garbage.

– Sigh...

– hahahahahahahahaha

After that news circled, what happened?

“...Cricket sounds?”

“Yeah.”

Like nothing even happened—they totally ignored it.

‘I knew it would.’

Admitting this was TeSTAR’s embarrassing misstep would kill the vicarious thrill and feel like losing.

Since it clashed with their pride buzz, everyone pretended not to see it.

“Fans are quiet too.”

For another reason.

‘I get it—it’s strategic restraint.’

TeSTAR’s momentum is too strong for fans to want to rain on it by canceling a locked-in American show.

No gain to rant and get it pulled.

So overall, TeSTAR’s buzz doused, and the praise died down like a candle.

All that remains are self-affirmation videos from nationalist channels that do more harm than good.

“...”

“...”

Rarely does public opinion go sour without a backlash—but they might prefer getting hate at this point.

Look at Bae Se-jin over there, staring sadly at his stopped overseas reaction translation streams.

“...”

“Hyung.”

“I know. It’s necessary!”

Yes. It was all pre-discussed.

K-pop is no longer exotic in America—its subculture fandom is solid there.

It’s clearly beneficial, but it also makes only those already tuned in watch.

‘That’s why we partnered with Rimestone on the film.’

If we followed the same path as everyone else, we’d lose out on the pie we built with Rimestone.

Bae Se-jin’s eyes cleared and he nodded.

“...We’ll just stick to our plan.”

“Right.”

I shrugged, then patted Cha Yu-jin’s shoulder next to me.

“She sorted it all out—someone from the homeland.”

“Yeah. I trust her! I’ll do great!”

“No, I said I trust you!”

I let them chat and glanced at Seon Ah-hyun, who’d stopped monitoring.

Given how much he’d invested, I thought he’d worry—but he gave me a thumbs-up...?

“I-I trust you, of course...!”

“...Thanks.”

“Mm!”

Alright then... that’s settled.

‘Final check.’

I relaxed my shoulders and glanced once more at the best comments from our relatively mild first stage.

Quite a few about me.

– I was lying down, then at Mun-dae’s intro I sat up straight lololol insane

– No AR? Even the breathing is real—shamelessly betting on vocals

└ hahahahahahaha

– Mun-dae’s two-plus vocal stat is fire. Melts me

These responses made that stat boost feel worthwhile.

I pictured my status window.

That S+ vocal stat...

Right. I added my last point to Vocals.

Why not to Dance, which would have bumped B+ to A–?

Because I’d seen every stat grade in person and was convinced.

‘S+ is perfection.’

For example, someone finally hit S+ in Creativity this album.

[Name: Cha Yu-jin]

Creativity: S+

On the street, if you narrated over any song people would turn to watch him. His formerly unruly flair is now an asset.

And... another person in another group has S+ in a different stat.

I frowned.

[Name: Cheongryeo (Shin Jae-hyun)]

Dance: S+

Cheongryeo’s dance S+ is ideal K-pop corps-center caliber—every nuance and power perfectly realized.

Even a random lineup of C or D types would look good beside him.

Considering EX would be legendary-level, S+ is the final stage art can achieve.

So to remove any risk of “my vocals not landing,” raising Vocals to S+ was the best choice.

‘Had to do it.’

And... there was another reason I didn’t boost Dance.

...I’m running a group, not a solo.

‘There are already so many great dancers.’

I’m not the dance-break center—B+ is fine for now to keep our corps perfect.

‘I need to make what I do stand out even more.’

Excelling even a fraction above your role’s requirement benefits the team most.

And everyone else did, too.

I looked around with satisfaction. The guys who stopped monitoring looked trustworthy.

In any case, it was time to use that S+ Vocal again.

This shoot had to finish well and deliver results...

“Wow—someone in production tweeted that our company contacted them directly to request this appearance. Incredible.”

“...”

We’ll settle this with them after filming.